Blockchain mine at oil or gas facility

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems of operating a blockchain mining device using natural gas produced at a hydrocarbon production, storage, or processing site/facility. A generator may be retrofitted to an existing prime mover used to pump the well, and the generator may be used to power the blockchain mining device. Portable mining devices may be hooked up to a casinghead gas supply at a remote, isolated oil facility. Power loading levels may be modulated by adjusting mining transaction levels to correspond with combustible gas production levels.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to blockchain mining at an oil or gas facility.

BACKGROUND

At remote oil and gas facilities, excess natural gas is often wasted,for example vented to atmosphere or burned via flaring.

SUMMARY

A system is disclosed comprising: a source of combustible gas producedfrom an oil production, storage, or processing facility, such as aremote oil well; a generator connected to the source of combustible gas;and a blockchain mining device connected to the generator.

A method is disclosed comprising using a source of combustible gasproduced at a hydrocarbon production well, storage, or processingfacility, to produce electricity to operate a blockchain mining devicelocated at the hydrocarbon production well, storage, or processingfacility, respectively.

A method is disclosed comprising using a source of combustible gas,which is produced from a remote oil or gas well, to produce electricityto operate a blockchain mining device.

A method is disclosed comprising: disconnecting a source of combustiblegas from a gas vent or combustion device at a hydrocarbon productionwell or processing facility; and connecting the source of combustiblegas to produce electricity to operate a blockchain mining device.

A method is disclosed comprising using a source of combustible gas,which is produced from a remote oil or gas well, to produce electricityto operate a blockchain mining device.

A method is disclosed of reducing vented or flared natural gas atupstream oil and gas facilities, the method consists of operating anatural gas aspirated prime mover fueled directly by the vented orflared gas source; the prime mover runs a generator to generate power,the generator powers a portable blockchain mine.

An upstream oil and gas blockchain mining apparatus is disclosedcomprising a well, excess gas is captured off the casing of the well torun a natural gas engine, the engine runs both a hydraulic pump and agenerator, the generator powers a portable blockchain mine, where themining load is sized at the low end of the variable availability of gas;excess gas above the amount required to fuel the load is vented, wherethe mining load is sized at the low end of the variable availability ofgas; the prime mover varies its torque based on the availability of thegas so as to minimize excess vented gas, excess power above the amountnecessary to run the mining load is dissipated in a load bank, where themining load is sized at the high end of the variable availability ofgas; and make-up gas is taken from propane tanks on site or from linegas.

An upstream oil and gas blockchain mining apparatus is disclosedcomprising a well, excess gas is captured off the casing of the well torun a prime mover such as an engine, turbine or boiler, the prime moverruns a generator, the generator powers a portable blockchain mine, wherethe mining load is sized at the low end of the variable availability ofgas; excess gas above the amount required to fuel the load is vented,where the mining load is sized at the low end of the variableavailability of gas; the prime mover varies its torque based on theavailability of the gas so as to minimize excess vented gas, excesspower above the amount necessary to run the mining load is dissipated ina load bank, where the mining load is sized at the high end of thevariable availability of gas; make-up gas is taken from propane tanks onsite or from line gas.

An upstream oil and gas blockchain mining apparatus is disclosedcomprising a multi-well pad or group of satellite wells that produceinto an oil treating facility, gas is captured off of the casing of thewells or off of oil and gas separating vessels such as tanks at thetreating facility via vapor recovery units or compressors, the gas isused to run a prime mover such as an engine or turbine, the prime moverruns a generator which powers a portable blockchain mine.

An upstream oil and gas blockchain mining apparatus is disclosedcomprising an oil and gas treating facility consists of a flare,incinerator, combustor or burner; excess gas is taken off the inlet lineof the flare and redirected to a prime mover such as a natural gasengine, turbine or boiler, the prime mover runs a generator which powersa portable blockchain mining device.

A portable blockchain mining apparatus is disclosed comprising anenclosure containing the blockchain mining equipment, the enclosurehaving a ventilation mechanism, to dissipate the heat produced by themining processors, for example one or more of an air supply fan, anexhaust fan, louvers, and others, the enclosure having a satellite,radio or cellular antenna to provide a connection to the internet, theenclosure containing network equipment such as a modem and networkswitch, the enclosure designed to be portable such as trailer mounted,the enclosure being insulated from the elements, the enclosurecontaining a natural gas aspirated engine and a generator to power themining equipment, and the engine may comprise a turbine, where theenclosure is an intermodal shipping container, where the enclosure has achiller or air cooling means fitted to it, the enclosure having aback-up heating means, such as a space heater, to be used to pre-heatthe enclosure in case of shut down in cold weather.

In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of thefollowing features: The oil production, storage, or processing facilitycomprises a remote oil well. The oil production, storage, or processingfacility comprise an oil storage or processing unit. The system isisolated from a sales gas line and an external electrical power grid.The source of combustible gas comprises the remote oil well; and theremote oil well is connected to produce a continuous flow of combustiblegas to power the generator. A combustion engine is connected to thesource of combustible gas and connected to drive the generator. Thecombustion engine is a prime mover that is connected to produce oil fromthe remote oil well. The combustion engine is a first combustion engine,and further comprising a second combustion engine that is a prime moverthat is connected to produce oil from the remote oil well. The source ofcombustible gas comprises an oil storage or processing unit with a gasoutlet connected to supply combustible gas to operate the generator; andthe oil storage or processing unit is connected to receive oil producedfrom a remote oil well. The generator and blockchain mining device arelocated adjacent to the oil production, storage, or processing facility,for example adjacent to the remote oil well. The remote oil wellcomprises a plurality of remote oil wells, and one or both of thefollowing conditions are satisfied: the plurality of remote oil wellsare located on a multi-well pad; or the plurality of remote oil wellsinclude a satellite well. The blockchain mining device has a networkinterface and a mining processor; the network interface is connected toreceive and transmit data through the internet to a network that storesor has access to a blockchain database; and the mining processor isconnected to the network interface and adapted to mine transactions intoblocks associated with the blockchain database and to communicate withthe blockchain database. The network is a peer to peer network; theblockchain database is a distributed database stored on plural nodes inthe peer to peer network; and the blockchain database storestransactional information for a digital currency. A controller isconnected to modulate a power load level exerted by the blockchainmining device on the generator, by increasing or decreasing the miningactivity of the mining processor. The mining processor comprises aplurality of mining processors; and the controller is connected tomodulate the maximum power load level by increasing or decreasing amaximum number of mining processors that are engaged in mining. Thesource of combustible gas comprises the remote oil well, which isconnected to produce a continuous flow of combustible gas to operate thegenerator. The controller is connected to modulate the power load levelin response to variations in a production rate of combustible gas fromthe remote oil well. A production rate of combustible gas from theremote oil well varies between a daily minimum production rate and adaily maximum production rate; and while the production rate is abovethe daily minimum production rate, the controller is set to limit thepower load level to at or below a power level producible by thegenerator when the production rate is at the daily minimum productionrate. The controller is set to divert to a load bank excess electricityproduced by the generator. A production rate of combustible gas from theremote oil well varies between a daily minimum production rate and adaily maximum production rate; the controller is set to limit the powerload level to above a power level producible by the generator when theproduction rate is at the daily minimum production rate; and a backupsource, of fuel or electricity, is connected make up a shortfall in fuelor electricity, respectively, required to supply the blockchain miningdevice with the power load level. A controller is connected to operate aventilation, heating and cooling system to maintain the blockchainmining device within a predetermined operating range of temperature. Theblockchain mining device is mounted on a skid or trailer. The skid ortrailer comprises a generator driven by an engine, which is connected tothe source of combustible gas. The engine comprises a turbine. Thegenerator and engine may be mounted integral to the skid, trailer, orblockchain mining device. The blockchain mining device comprises anintermodal transport container. Prior to using the source of combustiblegas: disconnecting the source of combustible gas from a combustible gasdisposal device at the hydrocarbon production well, storage, orprocessing facility; and connecting the source of combustible gas tooperate the blockchain mining device. Connecting the source ofcombustible gas to operate the blockchain mining device; and divertinggas from a combustible gas disposal or storage device to operate theblockchain mining device. The combustible gas disposal or storage devicecomprises one or more of a flare, a vent to the atmosphere, anincinerator, or a burner. The hydrocarbon production well, storage, orprocessing facility comprises an oil or gas well that is isolated from asales gas line and an external electrical power grid. The source ofcombustible gas is a remote oil or gas well, and further comprisingproducing a continuous flow of combustible gas to power a generatorconnected to operate the blockchain mining device. Producing furthercomprises supplying combustible gas to a combustion engine that isconnected to drive the generator. The source of combustible gas is aremote oil well, and further comprising using the combustion engine as aprime mover to produce oil from the remote oil well. Prior to using thesource of combustible gas, the combustion engine is under loaded as theprime mover, and further comprising connecting the generator to a powertakeoff connected to the combustion engine. The combustion engine is afirst combustion engine, and further comprising: prior to supplyingcombustible gas to the first combustion engine, connecting the firstcombustion engine to receive combustible gas from the remote oil well;and using a second combustion engine as a prime mover to produce oilfrom the remote oil well. Operating the blockchain mining device to:mine transactions with the blockchain mining device, for example bymining the most recent block on the blockchain with the blockchainmining device; and communicate wirelessly through the internet tocommunicate with a blockchain database. Modulating, using a controller,a power load level exerted by the blockchain mining device on thegenerator, by increasing or decreasing the mining activity of theblockchain mining device, for example the mining activity of pluralmining processors contained within the blockchain mining device. Theblockchain mining device comprises a plurality of mining processors; andmodulating comprises modulating the power load level by increasing ordecreasing a maximum number of mining processors that are engaged inmining. Modulating comprises modulating the power load level in responseto variations in a production rate of combustible gas from the remoteoil or gas well. A production rate of combustible gas from the remoteoil or gas well varies between a daily minimum production rate and adaily maximum production rate; and modulating comprises limiting, whilethe production rate is above the daily minimum production rate, thepower load level to at or below a power level producible by thegenerator when the production rate is at the daily minimum productionrate. One or more of: diverting to a load bank excess electricityproduced by the generator; or diverting, to a combustible gas disposalor storage device, excess combustible gas supplied to operate thegenerator. A production rate of combustible gas from the remote oil orgas well varies between a daily minimum production rate and a dailymaximum production rate; and modulating comprises limiting the powerload level to above a power level produced by the generator when theproduction rate is at the daily minimum production rate; and supplyingfrom a backup fuel or electricity source a shortfall in fuel orelectricity, respectively, required to supply the blockchain miningdevice with the power load level. The power load level is limited toabove a power level produced by the generator when the production rateis at the daily maximum production rate. The blockchain mining devicemay be replaced by a suitable mining device or data center. The primemover is connected to drive a pump jack or a rotating drive head mountedto the remote oil well. The power unit comprises a generator driven by apower take off from the prime mover. A compressor is connected topressurize natural gas supplied from the source of natural gas to thepower unit. The source of combustible gas comprises raw natural gas. Theremote oil well comprises a plurality of remote oil wells. The networkinterfaces comprises one or more of a satellite, cellular, or radioantenna, connected to a modem. Successfully mining a block by a miningprocessor provides a reward of the digital currency, and the reward isassigned to a digital wallet or address stored on a computer readablemedium. Prior to using the source of combustible gas, disconnecting thesource of combustible gas from a gas vent or combustion device; andconnecting the source of combustible gas to operate the blockchainmining device. The source of vented or flared natural gas is derivedfrom combustible vapors produced as a result of oil treating orprocessing, such as an oil storage tank, separating vessel, or a freewater knockout. The source of vented or flared natural gas is sourcedfrom the inlet line of a flare, incinerator, combustor or burner.Retrofitting an existing natural gas engine running a hydraulic pump toalso run a generator, the generator powering a portable blockchain mine.Adding secondary prime movers such as natural gas internal combustionengines, turbines or boilers to run associated generators, thegenerators powering a portable blockchain mine. The mining load is sizedat the low end of a variable vented or flared gas supply such thatback-up fuel requirement usage is minimized, the excess gas over andabout the amount required to fuel the mining load is vented or flared(combusted). The mining load is sized at the low end of a variablevented or flared gas supply such that back-up fuel requirement usage isminimized, the engine is controlled to throttle up or down based on theavailability of excess gas so as to produce more torque, the additionaltorque generates excess power above that required to run the miningload, the excess power is directed to a load bank and dissipated asheat, and thus venting is minimized. The electrical load (of the mininghardware) is sized at the high end of a fluctuating excess or strandedgas supply such that venting or flaring is minimized or eliminated,where shortages in gas supply are made up from available back-up fuelsuch as propane or line gas. Changing the blockchain mine electricalload over time in response to changes in the excess or stranded gasvolume availability. The mining load can be changed through the additionor removal of mining processors. Minimizing the vented or flared gasvolumes by changing the mining hardware load in reaction to observedchanges in average natural gas source rates over time. Minimizing theconsumed back up fuel volumes by changing the mining hardware load inreaction to observed changes in average natural gas source rates overtime.

These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in theclaims, which are incorporated here by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, inwhich like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example,and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a system for powering a blockchainmine at a remote oil well using a generator retrofitted to a primemover, which operates a drivehead to pump oil up from the reservoir.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating another embodiment of a system forpowering a blockchain mine at a remote oil well, with a prime mover(engine) operating the drivehead, and another engine and generatorconnected to the remote well for powering the blockchain mineindependent of the prime mover that operates the drive head.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating another embodiment of a system forpowering a blockchain mine, in which a generator and engine areconnected to be powered by combustible gas taken off of an oil storageunit to power the blockchain main.

FIG. 4 is a schematic depicting a blockchain mining device with aplurality of mining processors and associated control and networkequipment housed within a portable enclosure.

FIG. 5A is a graph that illustrates short-term changes in availablenatural gas produced over time by an oil production, storage, orprocessing facility.

FIG. 5B is a graph that illustrates long-term changes in availablenatural gas produced over time by an oil production, storage, orprocessing facility.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an intermodal shipping container housingblockchain mining equipment for use at a remote oil or gas production,storage, or processing facility.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams that illustrate a) a peer-to-peernetwork, b) a layout of hardware forming a single node in thepeer-to-peer network, and c) a conceptual illustration of a blockchaindatabase stored on an individual node, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described herewithout departing from what is covered by the claims.

Natural gas is a naturally occurring combustible gas, often in the formof a mixture of hydrocarbon gases that is highly compressible andexpansible. Methane (CH₄) is the chief constituent of most natural gas(constituting as much as 85% of some natural gases), with lesser amountsof ethane, propane, butane, and pentane. Impurities may also be presentin large proportions, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), helium, nitrogen,and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S).

Natural gas may be produced from various sources. Natural gas maynaturally separate from the oil stream as it is produced up the well andmay be captured off the casing side of the well, the casing sidereferring to the annular space between the production tubing and thewell bore or well casing if present. When natural gas is produced froman underground reservoir, it may be saturated with water vapor and maycontain heavy hydrocarbon compounds as well as nonhydrocarbonimpurities. Natural gas produced from shale reservoirs is known as shalegas. The composition of the gas stream is a function of the thermalmaturity of the rock. Thermally immature rocks will contain heavierhydrocarbon components and may contain liquid components. Overmaturereservoirs may contain appreciable quantities of CO₂. Natural gas mayalso be liberated out of solution from the oil as it is treated, such asin a tank on the well site or as it is undergoes further refinement at adownstream facility. In upstream production of oil and gas, natural gasmay be produced as the primary product, for example from a gas well, oras a by-product of oil production, for example from an oil well.

Natural gas produced as a by-product of oil production may be used invarious ways. The oil well operator may attempt to capture the gas andconsume it, for example as on-site fuel for equipment or forinstrumentation pressure. If there is an excess of natural gas thatcannot be used on site, it may be desirable to sell the excess by tyingthe source into a pipeline network with a sales line to sell to acustomer connected to the pipeline network. If the amount of gas issignificant, it can be compressed or liquefied into storage vessels tobe sold to market. If there is no pipeline network but there is a powergrid, the operator may have the option to use the gas to generateelectricity to sell to the power grid owner.

Raw natural gas may require processing before it can be sold via a salesgas line. In long distance transmission of sales gas by pipeline, thepressure is usually less than 1,000 pounds per square inch gage (PSIG).It is important that no liquids form in the line because of condensationof either hydrocarbons or water. Hydrocarbon liquids reduce the pipelineefficiency and might hold up in the line to form liquid slugs, whichmight damage downstream compression equipment. Condensed water can dothe same damage. Additionally, water may form solid complexes(hydrates), which accumulate and block the line. Further, it may beeconomical to extract liquefiable hydrocarbon components, which wouldhave a higher market value on extraction as compared with their heatingvalue if left in the gas.

The end user of natural gas needs to be assured of two conditions beforecommitting to the use of gas in a home or factory: the gas must be ofconsistent quality, meeting sales gas specifications, and the supply ofgas must be available at all times at the contracted rate. Gas treatingfacilities, therefore, must be designed to convert a particular raw gasmixture into a sales gas that meets the sales-gas specifications, andsuch facilities must operate without interruption. Typical processingsteps include inlet separation, compression, gas sweetening, sulfurrecovery or acid gas disposal, dehydration, hydrocarbon dewpointcontrol, fractionation and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) recovery, andcondensate stabilization. Sales gas specifications may vary byjurisdiction, although Table 1 below illustrates a typicalspecification. A sales gas line may be a pipeline of more than ten km oflength, in some cases more than fifty, a hundred, or two hundred,kilometers in length, and connecting between an oil and gas site andtravelling to an end user, a processing site, or a distribution site.

TABLE 1 Typical Sales Gas Specification Sales Gas SpecificationComponent (maximum limits) H2S (ppm) 10-16 O2 (mol. %) 0.0 CO2 (mol. %)2-3 Moisture (mg/L and lb/mmscf) 0.1-.16 (4-10)

A source of natural gas may be located at a remote oil and gas site, forexample one that is lacking in accessible infrastructure such as anexternal pipeline network (sales line) or external power grid to sellinto. In many locations it may not be economically feasible to build theinfrastructure required to take the produced gas, or resultantelectricity generated by combustion of the gas, to market, for exampledue to significant capital expense required or when the volume of gas isinsufficient to pay out the investment. In such cases, the operator isforced to do something with the excess or stranded gas and is left withfew options. Such options currently include venting the gas toatmosphere un-combusted, combusting the gas on site via flare,incinerator, or combustor, or worst case scenario ceasing production ofthe gas source, for example shutting in the oil well.

Venting excess gas to atmosphere is the most cost effective option forthe operator but may have the most negative impact on the environment,as excess natural gas is regarded as 25-35 times worse than CO₂ as agreenhouse gas on a 100 year global warming potential timescale.Currently, venting gas to atmosphere is a common occurrence in oilproduction all over the world, as few jurisdictions restrict thispractice.

Combustion disposal options, while more environmentally friendly thanventing, represent a significant capital expense and do not provideutility for the operator. Combustion options include, but are notlimited to, flaring and incineration. Combustion disposal methodsproduce waste heat and essentially represent waste of the potentialenergy of the gas. Such options may represent a capital liability to theoperator, as such do not generate any revenue. Both combustion andventing can pose health concerns to nearby residents and are typicallyconsidered a nuisance.

Selling excess gas to a pipeline, i.e. a sales gas line, or using thegas to generate electricity to sell to an external power grid may beideal options, but such options may require a significant capitalexpense when there is no infrastructure nearby. To pay off the capitalexpense, the volume of excess gas must be significant and the supplymust also be guaranteed for the payout period. This is often not thecase in many upstream oil production activities, as gas volumesassociated with oil production can quickly diminish. Many remote oil andgas sites are located in unpopulated areas that are hundreds ofkilometers outside of the nearest town, and of which no viable salesoption is economically feasible.

An external power grid may be an electrical power transmission systemcomprising overhead or underground wiring, often supplying electricityin polyphase form, and spanning an electrical substation to an oil andgas site. Long-distance electricity transmission is typically carriedwith high voltage conductors. Transmission lines traverse large regionsand require numerous support towers, often spanning hundreds ofkilometers from generation to distribution and end use. Substationstransform power from transmission voltages to distribution voltages,typically ranging from 2400 volts to 37,500 volts.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a system 10 is illustrated comprising a sourceof combustible gas, for example natural gas or another hydrocarbon gas,produced from a hydrocarbon production, storage, or processing facility,in this case a remote oil well 14, a power unit such as a generator 28,and a blockchain mining device 12. The generator 28 is connected toproduce electricity from the source of natural gas. The data mining orblockchain mining device 12 is connected to the generator 28, forexample connected to receive electricity from or be powered by thegenerator 28. Referring to FIG. 2, an oil well 14 may include a suitableproduction tree 110, which may include a drivehead 16, a stuffing box114, a flow tee 117, and a casinghead 15, all mounted on a wellhead 116.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the remote oil or gas well 14 may be isolatedfrom one or more of a sales gas line or external power grid. Isolatedmay refer to the fact the no sales gas line or external power grid, asthe case may be, is located within a distance that would be economicallyfeasible to connect into, for example such infrastructure may be morethan five, ten, fifty, or a hundred kilometers away. Oil and gasproduction, storage, and processing assets are often distributed acrossremote locations. For example, well-sites can be remote and isolatedfrom conventional communications equipment making the retrieval ofwell-site data difficult and unreliable. Some locations can be soremote, that periodic on-site visits are required to manually orsemi-manually retrieve data. Some locations are only accessible viaoff-road vehicles or helicopter.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the combustible gas used in the systems andmethods in this document may be natural gas, such as raw natural gasand/or casing gas. Casing gas, also known as casinghead gas, is gasproduced as a byproduct from a producing oil well 14. Referring to FIG.1, casing gas is taken from the well 14 through the casinghead 15 at thetop of the well 14. The casinghead 15 is in fluid communication with theannulus defined between the production tubing and the well bore or wellcasing lining the well bore. The casinghead may feed raw natural gas viasupply line 41 to a gas tree 22, which may distribute the gas to thevarious pieces of equipment on site that may use or dispense of the gas.Raw gas may be a gas directly produced from the well, or otherwiseunprocessed. Raw gas may contain natural gas liquids (condensate,natural gasoline, and liquefied petroleum gas), water, and some otherimpurities such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide andhelium.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the generator 28 and blockchain mining device 12may be positioned at a suitable location relative to the hydrocarbonwell, storage site, or processing facility, such as remote oil well 14.The generator 28 and blockchain mining device 12 may be located adjacentto the remote oil well 14, for example within one hundred meters. Thegenerator 28 and blockchain mining device 12 may be located furtherdistances away, for example within one kilometer of the remote oil well14. Relatively longer distances may permit the device 12 to be poweredby combustion of gas from plural wells 14 as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, as above, system 10 may be located at a remoteoil well. In the examples shown, the source of combustible gas comprisesthe remote oil well, 14. As the source of gas the remote oil well 14 maybe connected to produce a continuous flow of combustible gas to powerthe generator 28, for example by supply of combustible gas to acombustion engine 24 that is connected to drive the generator 28.

Referring to FIG. 1, at a remote oil well site an internal combustionengine 24, such as a motor, may be set up to operate as, or to drive, aprime mover, such as a pump jack or rotating drivehead 16, which isconnected to produce oil from the remote oil well 14. A prime mover inthis document refers to any machine that converts energy from a sourceenergy into mechanical energy, as a motive power source providing energyto move the components that pump oil from the well 14. A pumpjackconverts the rotary motion of a driveshaft of the engine 24 to avertical reciprocating motion of a walking beam to raise and lower thepump shaft (polished rod) to operate a downhole pump positioned at thebase of production tubing in the well. A rotating drivehead 16 is a topside motor that rotates the polished rod to operate a downhole moineauor progressing cavity pump, which in turn drives oil up the productiontubing to surface. Driveheads and pumpjacks are examples of artificiallift systems, other examples of which include bottom hole motors. Arotating drivehead may incorporate a hydraulic motor that is driven by ahydraulic pump 26, which is driven by the prime mover or engine 24, forexample via supply and return hydraulic lines 18 and 20. At many remoteoil wells 12 the prime mover or engine 24 is connected to receive asfuel natural gas from the source of combustible gas, in this case well14, for example via gas tree 22 and supply line 54.

Referring to FIG. 1, the prime mover engine 24 may be connected to drivethe generator 28. In one case the generator 28 is connected, in somecases retrofitted, to a power takeoff on the engine 24, such as a driveshaft. In some cases the drive shaft also operates the hydraulic pump26, or drives the gearbox of a pumpjack. The remote oil well 14 mayproduce natural gas as a by-product off an annulus of the well 14 orother space between adjacent sections of piping, tubing, and/or casingpositioned within the well 14. The generator 28 may be any device thatconverts mechanical energy to electrical energy, such mechanical energybeing converted from energy of combustion of the combustible gas. Theengine 24 may be a natural aspirated internal combustion engine. Thecombination of the generator 28 and the engine 24 may be referred to asa genset or engine-generator. The generator 28 may be an alternator, agas turbine generator, a boiler coupled with a steam-powered generator,or other suitable devices.

Referring to FIG. 1, the generator 28 may be used to leverage excessenergy available when the prime mover engine 24 is under loaded. Forexample, an engine 24 may be rated at 60 or higher horsepower, but mayactually only require 20-30 horsepower to pump the well 14. In such acase the well 14 is a good candidate for retrofitting a generator 28 toleverage the excess power capacity of the engine 24. The generator 28may thus be connected, for example through a power takeoff, to thecombustion engine 24. In other cases the generator 28 may be connectedto a mechanical energy source elsewhere in the existing power train, forexample to the gearbox or crank assembly of a pump jack, or to ahydraulic motor connected to the pump 26. In other cases, the well sitemay have an existing generator 28 in place, for example alreadyconnected to be driven by the engine 24, and in such a case the miningdevice 12 may be connected to such generator 28 to receive power foroperations.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mining device 12 may be powered by a generator28 that is retrofitted, or already present, at a well site independentof the prime mover engine 24. One or more such components may be housedin an enclosure such as an engine building 50. In the example shownduring operation the generator 28 is connected to be driven by an engine56, referred to as a first engine, while a second engine 24 is presentto act as the prime mover to pump the well 14. Prior to using thecombustible gas to power the mining device 12, a user may connect thegenerator 28 to an existing engine 56, or may connect a gen-setcomprising engine 56 and generator 28 to the gas supply, such as throughlines 43 connected to a gas tree 22 on site. The engine 56 and generator28, or just the generator 28, may be supplied as part of the miningdevice 12 in some cases, for example as a skid or trailer-mounted unit,in order to provide a turnkey or plug-and-play system that may betransported to the well 14, hooked up to the gas supply or tree 22, andoperated.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mining device 12 may be powered by gas from aplurality of sources, such as a plurality of remote oil wells 14A-D. Theplurality of remote oil wells 14A-D may be located on a multi-well pad118, for example a plurality of horizontal wells that penetrate the samehydrocarbon reservoir. The plurality of remote oil wells 14A-D mayinclude one or more satellite wells. A satellite well includes a wellthat is separate from a main group of wells or another well, but whoseproduction is directed to a common processing facility. A satellite wellmay include a well that penetrates the same hydrocarbon reservoir asother wells in the plurality of wells. Each of the plurality of remoteoil wells 14A-D may have respective casinghead gas lines 60 and oil oremulsion lines 58, which in the examples shown are bussed or groupedtogether, though such grouping is not necessary and in some casesindependent lines may be used for each well or a group of one or morewells. The gas supply line or lines 60 may feed an engine 56 that drivesa generator 28 that powers a mining device 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, the source of combustible gas may be an oil storageor processing unit, for example a production storage tank or tanks34A-B. The tanks 34 may store emulsion, for example a mixture of oil andwater, which may be supplied via one or more emulsion or oil lines 58from wells 14A-D. The source of natural gas may comprise oil storageproduction tank 34 connected to receive oil produced from the remote oilwell 14. Oil storage production tank 34 may store, and in some casesseparate, emulsion 38, which may release vapor such as combustible gas36 over time. A gas outlet, such as a vapor recovery unit 66, may beconnected to supply natural gas from the oil storage production tank 34to the engine 56. A compressor 62 or other suitable device may be usedto pressurize the gas supplied to engine 56. The engine 56 and generator28 may form a standalone unit or may be connected for other functions onthe site, such as to pump a well or power communications or electricalequipment. Pressurized natural gas from compressor 62 may be used tofuel lease equipment 64, such as control equipment, communicationsequipment, surveillance equipment, heaters, or other components. Excessor unused gas may be directed to a gas disposal or storage device suchas an atmospheric vent or combustion device, in this case a flare 68.Gas may be diverted from flare 68 to engine 56 via an excess gas line70.

Referring to FIG. 3, in some cases a method of installing the system 10on site includes reducing the amount of combustible gas that is wastedon site. For example, the method of install may include disconnectingthe source of combustible gas, in this case from tanks 34 and/or line60, from an atmospheric vent or combustion device, in this case flare68, or to atmosphere via a vent 52 (FIG. 1). The source of combustiblegas may be initially connected to operate the blockchain mining device12. Once disconnected, the atmospheric vent or combustion device may beunused in the future, or may be used only in certain circumstances. Insome cases combustible gas is diverted at least partially from theatmospheric vent or combustion device to operate the blockchain miningdevice 12, so that relatively less gas is wasted during operation. Insuch cases the flare 68 may remain connected to the source of gas, forexample to receive a lesser feed of gas than prior to the installationof mining device 12, and in other cases to receive diverted excess gasin certain circumstances for example as described further elsewhere inthis document. An atmospheric vent or combustion device is an example ofa gas disposal device, and includes a flare, a vent to the atmosphere,an incinerator, a burner, and other suitable devices.

A blockchain is a form of database, which may be saved as a distributedledger in a network of nodes that maintains a continuously-growing listof records called blocks. Each block contains a timestamp and a link toa previous block. The data in a block cannot be altered retrospectivelywithout significant computational effort and majority consensus of thenetwork. The first blockchain was conceptualised by Satoshi Nakamoto in2008 and implemented the following year as a core component of thedigital currency, BITCOIN™, where it serves as the public ledger for alltransactions. Through the use of a peer-to-peer network and adistributed timestamping server, a blockchain database is managedautonomously. The administration of BITCOIN™ currency is currently theprimary use for blockchain technology, but there are other use cases forblockchain technology to maintain accurate, tamper-proof databases.Examples include maintaining records of land titles and historicalevents. While the potential in blockchain technology is vast, BITCOIN™remains the most widely used today.

By design blockchains are inherently resistant to modification of thedata—once recorded, the data in a block cannot be altered retroactivelywithout network consensus. Blockchains are an open, distributed ledgerthat can record transactions between two parties efficiently and in averifiable and permanent way. The ledger itself can also be programmedto trigger transactions automatically. Blockchains are secure by designand an example of a distributed computing system with high byzantinefault tolerance. Decentralised consensus can therefore be achieved witha blockchain. This makes blockchains suitable for the recording ofevents, medical records, and other records management activities,identity management, transaction processing and proving provenance. Thisoffers the potential of mass disintermediation and vast repercussionsfor how global trade is conducted.

A blockchain facilitates secure online transactions. A blockchain is adecentralized digital ledger that records transactions on thousands ofcomputers globally in such a way that the registered transactions cannotbe altered retrospectively. This allows the participants to verify andaudit transactions in an inexpensive manner. Transactions areauthenticated by mass collaboration powered by collectiveself-interests. The result is a robust workflow where participants'uncertainty regarding data security is marginal. The use of a blockchainremoves the characteristic of infinite reproducibility from a digitalasset. It confirms that each unit of digital cash was spent only once,solving the long-standing problem of double spending. Blockchains havebeen described as a value-exchange protocol. This exchange of value canbe completed more quickly, more safely and more cheaply with ablockchain. A blockchain can assign title rights because it provides arecord that compels offer and acceptance. From the technical point ofview a blockchain is a hashchain inside another hashchain.

A blockchain database may comprise two kinds of records: transactionsand blocks. Blocks may hold batches of valid transactions that arehashed and encoded into a Merkle tree. Each block may include the hashof the prior block in the blockchain, linking the two. Variants of thisformat were used previously, for example in Git, and may not by itselfbe sufficient to qualify as a blockchain. The linked blocks form achain. This iterative process confirms the integrity of the previousblock, all the way back to the original genesis block. Some blockchainscreate a new block as frequently as every five seconds. As blockchainsage they are said to grow in height. Blocks are structured by divisioninto layers.

Sometimes separate blocks may be validated concurrently, creating atemporary fork. In addition to a secure hash based history, eachblockchain has a specified algorithm for scoring different versions ofthe history so that one with a higher value can be selected over others.Blocks that are not selected for inclusion in the chain are calledorphan blocks. Peers supporting the database don't have exactly the sameversion of the history at all times, rather they keep the highestscoring version of the database that they currently know of. Whenever apeer receives a higher scoring version (usually the old version with asingle new block added) they extend or overwrite their own database andretransmit the improvement to their peers. There is never an absoluteguarantee that any particular entry will remain in the best version ofthe history forever, but because blockchains are typically built to addthe score of new blocks onto old blocks and there are incentives to onlywork on extending with new blocks rather than overwriting old blocks,the probability of an entry becoming superseded goes down exponentiallyas more blocks are built on top of it, eventually becoming very low. Forexample, in a blockchain using the proof-of-work system, the chain withthe most cumulative proof-of-work is always considered the valid one bythe network. In practice there are a number of methods that candemonstrate a sufficient level of computation. Within a blockchain thecomputation is carried out redundantly rather than in the traditionalsegregated and parallel manner.

Maintaining a blockchain database is referred to as mining, which refersto the distributed computational review process performed on each blockof data in a block-chain. This allows for achievement of consensus in anenvironment where neither party knows or trusts each other. Thoseengaged in BITCOIN™ mining are rewarded for their effort with newlycreated BITCOIN™s and transaction fees, which may be transferred to adigital wallet of a user upon completion of a designated task. BITCOIN™miners may be located anywhere globally and may be operated by anyone.The mining hardware is tied to the blockchain network via an internetconnection. Thus, little infrastructure is needed to operate andcontribute to the system. All that is required to become a BITCOIN™miner is the appropriate computer hardware, an internet connection andlow cost electricity. The cheaper the electricity the more reward theminer will receive relative to competition, other miners.

Mining is the process of adding transaction records to BITCOIN™'s publicledger of past transactions. This ledger of past transactions is calledthe blockchain as it is a chain of blocks. The blockchain serves toconfirm transactions to the rest of the network as having taken place.BITCOIN™ nodes use the blockchain to distinguish legitimate BITCOIN™transactions from attempts to re-spend coins that have already beenspent elsewhere Mining may be intentionally designed to beresource-intensive and difficult so that the number of blocks found eachday by miners remains steady. Individual blocks may be required tocontain a proof-of-work to be considered valid. This proof-of-work isverified by other BITCOIN™ nodes each time they receive a block.BITCOIN™ uses the hashcash proof-of-work function.

One purpose of mining is to allow BITCOIN™ nodes to reach a secure,tamper-resistant consensus. Mining may also be the mechanism used tointroduce BITCOIN™s into the system: Miners are paid any transactionfees as well as a subsidy of newly created coins. This both serves thepurpose of disseminating new coins in a decentralized manner as well asmotivating people to provide security for the system. BITCOIN™ mining isso called because it resembles the mining of other commodities: itrequires exertion and it slowly makes new currency available at a ratethat resembles the rate at which commodities like gold are mined fromthe ground.

Mining requires computational effort in the form of CPU cycles(CPU=central processing unit or central processor) to run acryptographic hashing algorithm associated with the particularblockchain protocol. For a given mining processor, one can modify thecomputational effort through changing the core voltage or the clock rateof the processor. Doing so may result in more or less power consumed bythe mining processor, and in some embodiments within this document suchchanges are described as changing the mining activity, or hashrate.

As the total network computational effort (or hashrate) increases on ablockchain over time, the probability for an individual miner to find ablock and receive a reward diminishes. Today the BITCOIN™ network is solarge that most individuals engaged in mining BITCOIN™ typically mine inpools using protocols such as the Stratum Mining Protocol. This allowsindividual miners to increase their reward frequency as a trade-off forsplitting the block reward with the rest of the pool. Miners who arepool mining do not need the associated equipment needed to run a miningnode as they only need compute and submit proof-of-work shares issued bythe mining pool.

Since the energy cost of running blockchain mining equipment is itsprimary operating cost, a trend towards mining on low-cost hydroelectricpower has become prevalent. This trend has promoted the centralizationof blockchain miners in specific countries with abundant hydroelectricpower, as miners who do not have access to cheap hydroelectricity cannotmine profitably because they are competing with the miners who do haveaccess. BITCOIN™ mining centralization has been occurring in China wherethere is abundant low cost hydroelectric power. Centralization inblockchain mining is undesirable because the premise behind theblockchain innovation is not to have to trust a third party and to haveinherent confidence and security through a decentralized, distributednetwork. There exists a need to further decentralize BITCOIN™ and otherblockchain mining through a more decentralized source of low-cost power.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a blockchain network may be a peer to peer network120 accessible via the internet. The blockchain database may be storedas a distributed database 132 on plural nodes 122, for example nodes122A-F, in the peer to peer network 120. A protocol may be put in placeto ensure that each copy of the database on each node is updated in areliable fashion when one copy is updated on one node. Each copy of theblockchain database may store transactional information for a digitalcurrency such as BITCOIN™. Nodes 122A-F may be electronic devices 126,for example desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers,cellular telephones, servers, or other suitable devices. Nodes 122A-Fmay communicate with one another over wired or wireless communicationpaths 138, for example through the internet. Each path 138 may becreated through communication via switches, routers, modems, and othernetwork equipment. Network 120 may include any number of nodes, forexample tens, hundreds, thousands, millions, or more nodes. Nodes 122A-Fmay communicate to maintain a distributed global ledger of all officialtransactions. One or more of the nodes 122A-F may store a copy of theglobal ledger, for example a complete copy of the global ledger or apartial copy of the global ledger.

Referring to FIG. 6B, each node 122 may correspond to and be defined bya physical device 126, such as a computer. Device 126 may have one ormore of storage and processing circuitry 128 and mining circuitry 130 ifthe node operates as a miner. Storage and processing circuitry 128 mayhave storage circuitry, for example hard disk drive storage, nonvolatilememory such as flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-onlymemory configured to form a solid state drive, or volatile memory suchas static or dynamic random-access-memory. Processing circuitry ofstorage and processing circuitry 128 may be used to control theoperation of device 126. Storage circuitry 128 may store one or morecopies of a portion or the entirety of the distributed database 132.Such processing circuitry may include suitable hardware components suchas microprocessors, microcontrollers, and digital signal processors, ordedicated processing circuits such as application specific integratedcircuits Mining circuitry 130, for example an integrated circuit chip,may be used to perform data mining operations, for example verifyingcryptocurrency transactions. Network communication hardware 131 may beused to communicate with other nodes and the network in general.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-B, every transaction added to the global ledgervia nodes 122 may be verified by other the other nodes to help ensurevalidity of the ledger. Successfully mining a block may provide a rewardof the digital currency, wherein, the processor circuitry 128 or anotherprocessor may assign the reward to a digital wallet or address stored ona computer readable medium.

Referring to FIG. 6C, storage and processing circuitry 128, may maintainor store a blockchain database 132. The blockchain database 132 maystore data as a series of interconnected blocks 134, for example blocks134A-C. Each block 134 may have a respective header and contents and theheader may contain the previous block's hash. Such information may beused in linking a new block, for example block 136, into the blockchaindatabase 132. A new block 136 may be added to the chain as transactionsare verified and confirmed into the blockchain. The integrity of theblockchain may be verified by known methods, and the linking of eachblock to previous blocks acts to create a liable and traceable path oftitle to anonymously but reliably verify a chain of title for a specificquantity of currency that has been the subject of one or moretransactions.

Referring to FIG. 4, each blockchain mining device 12 may be composed ofsuitable components. The blockchain mining device 12 may have a networkinterface, such as network equipment 88, and one or a plurality ofmining processors 92 (92A-92E for example). The network interface may beconnected to receive and transmit data through the internet to a node onthe network 120 (FIG. 6A), or to a mining pool (not shown), that storesor has access to a blockchain database, which may be for a digitalcurrency. The mining processor or processors may be connected to thenetwork interface and adapted to mine new transactions into theblockchain database and to communicate with the blockchain database.Referring to FIG. 4, the network interface or interfaces (networkequipment 88) may have a configuration suitable for receiving andtransmitting data through the internet to the network. Referring to FIG.6, a network interface may comprise one or more communication devicesuch as a network antenna 96A, a satellite antenna or dish 96B, acellular antenna, or a radio antenna. The network equipment 88 mayinclude or be connected to a modem.

Referring to FIG. 6, system 10 may be mounted within a portableenclosure 98 suitable for transporting blockchain mining device 12between locations. The blockchain mining device 12 (FIG. 1) may be skidor trailer-mounted. The blockchain mining device 12 may be located in aportable enclosure 98, for example an intermodal transport container asshown. The portable enclosure 98 may have an access door 102 such as aman door, for example to permit entry and exit of a person such asequipment maintenance staff into and out of the enclosure 98. Portableenclosure 98 may have an end gate 100 to permit entry and exit of datamining equipment, for example mining processors 92, or power generatingequipment such as engine 56 and generator 28, into and out of theenclosure 98. One or more network communications equipment 96, forexample network antenna 96A such as a cellular network antenna or radionetwork antenna and/or satellite internet dish 96B may be mounted to theenclosure 98, for example to a top side 98A of the enclosure 98 or atanother suitable location. Enclosure 98 may have an air supply, such asa centrifugal fan 106, for example driven by a motor 104, in order tocool and ventilate internal components to prevent system downtime ordamage from overheating. Enclosure 98 may have one or more exhaust fans108 and/or louvers, for example to facilitate air flow out of, or into,enclosure 98 for heat dissipation from enclosure 98. Enclosure 98 mayhave an air supply, such as an air supply fan 106, and may have an airsupply filter (not shown) and conditioning equipment such as adehumidifier (not shown) to provide a quality air supply for theenclosure 98.

Referring to FIG. 6, an intermodal container is a relatively largerectangular box-shaped standardized shipping container, designed andbuilt for intermodal freight transport, meaning these containers can beused across different modes of transport—from ship to rail totruck—without unloading and reloading their cargo. Intermodal containersare primarily used to store and transport materials and productsefficiently and securely in the global containerized intermodal freighttransport system, but smaller numbers are in regional use as well. Thesecontainers are known under a number of names, such as simply container,cargo or freight container, ISO container, shipping, sea or oceancontainer, container van or (Conex) box, or seacan. Intermodalcontainers exist in many types and a number of standardized sizes, butninety percent of the global container fleet are so-called dry freightor general purpose containers, which are durable closed steel boxes,mostly of either twenty or forty foot standard length. Common heightsare 8 feet 6 inches and 9 feet 6 inches—the latter are known as HighCube or Hi-Cube containers. Intermodal containers often includecorrugated walls 101 for strength. Each corner of the container mayinclude a twistlock fitting 103 for securing the container to othercontainers and to various transportation devices such as a containertrailer for a road-based tractor unit. Reinforcing beams 105 may spanthe edges of the container, for example the vertical columns that makeup the four corners between sidewalls, and the horizontal beams thatmake up the longitudinal and lateral side edges of the base of thecontainer.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example layout is illustrated of the componentsthat may make up a mining device 12. The enclosure 98 may contain one ormore of a meter 72, a splitter 74, a ventilation fan 76, a chiller 78, astep-down transformer 80, a distribution panel 82, a contactor panel 84,a controller 86, network equipment 88 such as a modem and a networkswitch, a thermistor or temperature sensor 90, and one or more miningprocessors 92 such as processors 92A-E. The generator 28 provides powerto the mining device 12. In some cases, the power is metered via meter72 so the user can know how much to pay the owner of the gas, and thenthe power may be split up.

Referring to FIG. 4, the generator 28 may produce polyphaser power, suchas three phase power, which may be useful to run large loads such as theventilation fan 76 and chiller 78. The power may travel into a step-downtransformer 80. A transformer 80 may or may not be required depending onwhat voltage the generator makes. Transformer 80 may convert the inputvoltage to the required voltage to run the rest of the equipment. Thetransformer or transformers 80 may also convert the three phase power tosingle phase power. After the transformer the power may travel into adistribution panel 82. The panel 82 may feed power into the rest of theequipment. A contactor panel 84 may be used to switch on and off variousmining processor circuits each connected to one or more miningprocessors 92. Different mining processor circuits may be designed fordifferent voltages, as some mining processor power supplies run on 120V,and some run on 208V.

Referring to FIG. 4, the network equipment 88 block may provide a sourceof internet connection. A satellite/cellular/and/or radio antenna orother network communication equipment 96 may be fitted on the miningdevice 12 and connected to a modem. The modem may feed a network switchthat has ethernet ports. Each mining processor controller may need oneethernet port. The network connection may also feed a controller orcontrollers 86, which may be a programmable logic controller (PLC),which may be accessed remotely. The controller 86 may be connected to atleast a thermistor 90 (temperature sensor) within the mining device 12,to allow the controller 86 to control the ventilation and chilling loadswithin the enclosure 98. The controller 86 may control the contactorpanel 84 switches to open and close circuits to add or remove miningprocessors 92 from operation. Each mining processor 92 may have avariety of configurations, but generally may include at least a powersupply, a controller board and mining circuitry, such as an ASICcircuit. Various mining circuitry examples include CPU (centralprocessing unit), GPU (graphics processing unit), FPGA(Field-Programmable Gate Array), and ASIC (application specificintegrated circuit). The components of an ASIC mining processor includethe hash boards (each board has numerous chips that is doing thehashing), a controller (to communicate with the network and optimize themining processors chip frequency and fans for cooling), and a powersupply (typically converts AC input power to DC power for the ASIC).Each mining processor 92 may be positioned on racks or shelving units.

Referring to FIG. 4, the blockchain mining device 12 may comprise acontroller 86 connected to operate one or more aspects of the blockchainmining device 12. The controller 86 may be connected to operate acooling system, for example having a ventilation fan 76 and a chiller78, to maintain the mining processor 92 within a predetermined operatingrange of temperature. For example, if the internal temperature withinthe mining device 12 spikes above a predetermined maximum predeterminedtemperature, the air ventilation system may initiate or ramp up, and ifthe temperature contains past a second, relatively higher maximumpredetermined temperature, the chilling unit may initiate or ramp up toachieve an air-conditioning effect. Similarly, if the temperature dropsbelow a minimum predetermined temperature, a heating system (not shown)may initiate that may or may not leverage the air ventilationinfrastructure to distribute heat. Plural controllers may beincorporated, for example to carry out different tasks, for example onecontroller for temperature control and another for mining processorcontrol. The enclosure 98 may be structured to insulate its contentsfrom the elements. The enclosure 98 may have a back-up heating devicesuch as a space heater (not shown), for example to be used to heat theenclosure 98 in case of shut down in cold weather.

Referring to FIG. 4, one or more controllers 86 may modulate operatingpower loading to operate within the varying and gradually diminishinggas supply levels provided by a remote oil well or other hydrocarbonproduction, storage, or processing facility. The controller 86 may beconnected to modulate a power load level used by the blockchain miningdevice 12, for example by increasing or decreasing the mining activity,or hashrate, of the mining processor 92. The mining processor 92 maycomprise a plurality of processors, and the controller 86 may beconnected to modulate the operating power loading level by increasing ordecreasing the number of mining processors 92 that are actively engagedin mining, such as powering down one or more mining processors 92.

The controller 86 may be connected to modulate the power load level inresponse to variations in a supply or production rate of natural gasfrom the source of natural gas, for example a production rate of thewell 14. Referring to FIG. 5A, over a relatively short time period, suchas a single day, the controller 86 may modulate the power load bymodulating the mining activity, or hashrate, of a mining processor 92 tocorrespond with either or both a) readings from a production rate sensor(not shown), or b) a measured gas production time profile based onrecent (for example readings taken over the last week) historical gasproduction readings taken from the well, such as is shown in FIG. 5A.Thus, as gas production increases, so might the controller 86 increasemining activity, or hashrate, of mining processor 92, thereby drawingmore power which results in a larger power load and gas consumption ofthe engine 56. As gas production decreases as it is known to do in arelatively predictable and cyclical fashion as shown, the miningactivity may decrease. Adjustments may be made in real time to maximizethe use of the casinghead gas produced and to minimize waste of eitherelectricity generated or excess gas sent to a disposal device.

Referring to FIG. 5A, in some cases the power load level 152 may be setin relation to a daily minimum production rate 155B of natural gas. Aproduction rate of combustible gas from the remote oil well 14 may varybetween a daily minimum production rate 155B and a daily maximumproduction rate 155A. At least while the production rate is above thedaily minimum production rate 155B, or for a period of time of eight,twelve, twenty-four, or more hours, the controller 86 may be set tolimit the power load level to at or below a power level 152 producibleby the generator 28 when the production rate is at the daily minimumproduction rate. Thus, because the power load level is set to theminimum daily power supply from the generator 28, the controller 86 mayretain a stable and consistent number of mining processors 92 inoperation all day long. Venting may be decreased and little controlphilosophy may be required. Such a method may not completely eliminatewaste such as venting however waste is reduced.

Referring to FIG. 1, while the power load level is set to the dailyminimum, the excess gas or electricity may be addressed in a suitablefashion. In the example shown, excess electricity produced by thegenerator 28 is diverted to an electricity disposal device, in this casea load bank 32 when the production rate is above the daily minimumproduction rate 155B. In some cases the controller 86 or anothersuitable device, may divert excess gas from reaching engine 24, forexample to a suitable gas disposal or storage device, such as anatmospheric vent, a flare, or other device. One or more valves, such asan instrumented valve, may be used for such diversion. In some casesexcess gas sent to the engine will automatically divert to disposalthrough the gas tree, as such equipment may already have pressureregulation installed and set such that above a certain pressure excessgas is diverted to vent or flare. The load bank may be controlled toload up the engine so that all power generated in excess of the requiredamount to power the mine can be dissipated in the load bank as heat. Insuch a fashion the user can eliminate venting altogether as long as theengine is sized to consume the maximum available gas supply.

Referring to FIG. 5A, in some cases the power load level may be set inrelation to a daily maximum production rate 155A of natural gas, withshortfall made up by a backup source of fuel or electricity. Referringto FIG. 1, the controller 86 may be set to limit the power load level150 to above a power level producible by the generator 28 when theproduction rate 155 is at the daily minimum production rate 155B. Insome cases the power level is set to be limited at least while theproduction rate 155 is above the daily minimum production rate 155B, orfor another suitable time period such as eight, twelve, twenty-four orlonger periods of time. The power load level may be set to at, below, orabove the maximum power level producible by the generator 28 when theproduction rate 155 is at the daily maximum production rate 155A. Abackup source, of fuel or electricity, in this case one or more ofpropane tanks 30A, 30B, underground fuel supply line 46, and gas outletline 42 from production storage tank 34, may be connected make upshortfalls in fuel or electricity, respectively, required to supply theblockchain mining device 12 with the power load level. In such anexample vented gas is eliminated but back-up fuel use may be increased,thus operating costs may rise relative to the daily low embodiment(embodiments where power load level is set in relation to the dailyminimum production rate 155B in FIG. 5A) because of the requirement forthe backup fuel or electricity source.

On a well site there may be one or more uses for produced gas, and thusthe production rate of the well may be higher than the production rateof gas that arrives at the engine 24 or 56, however, due to the varyingproduction rate, the fluctuation in the graph gives an indication of theproportional fluctuation in the actual production rate received by theengine 24 or 56 as the case may be. In some cases the engine 24 or 56 isundersized and cannot consume the maximum available gas, in which casethe gas is sent to a gas disposal or storage device via pressureregulation in the gas tree and/or at the engine. The engine may comprisea throttle that permits some variation in gas consumption and powerproduction at the engine level, and in some cases the controller 86 isset to operate the throttle. In some cases the power load level may beset in between the daily maximum and minimum production rates, with abackup energy or fuel source and a method of disposing or storing ofexcess gas.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the graph shows a typical scenario where gasproduction decreases over time. As the natural gas production rate 155decreases, individual mining processors 92A-E may be removed ordisengaged from the device 12 so that the load on the engine 24 or 56 isreduced correspondingly, thereby reducing the required natural gasconsumption of the engine 24 or 56 to match or correspond with thedecline in gas availability. FIG. 5B depicts an engine fuel consumptionlevel 154 that is modulated over time in a stepped or stepdown fashionin relation to the gradually decreasing production rate 155 of the well.

In the claims, the word “comprising” is used in its inclusive sense anddoes not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles“a” and “an” before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of thefeature being present. Each one of the individual features describedhere may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue onlyof being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodimentsas defined by the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A system comprising: asource of combustible gas produced from an oil production, storage, orprocessing facility; a generator connected to the source of combustiblegas; and a blockchain mining device connected to the generator.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 isolated from a sales gas line and an externalelectrical power grid.
 3. The system of any one of claims 1-2 in which:the oil production, storage, or processing facility comprises a remoteoil well; the source of combustible gas comprises the remote oil well;and the remote oil well is connected to produce a continuous flow ofcombustible gas to power the generator.
 4. The system of claim 3 furthercomprising a combustion engine connected to the source of combustiblegas and connected to drive the generator.
 5. The system of claim 4 inwhich the combustion engine is a prime mover that is connected toproduce oil from the remote oil well.
 6. The system of claim 4 in whichthe combustion engine is a first combustion engine, and furthercomprising a second combustion engine that is a prime mover that isconnected to produce oil from the remote oil well.
 7. The system of anyone of claims 1-6 in which: the oil production, storage, or processingfacility comprise an oil storage or processing unit; the source ofcombustible gas comprises the oil storage or processing unit, which hasa gas outlet connected to supply combustible gas to operate thegenerator; and the oil storage or processing unit is connected toreceive oil produced from a remote oil well.
 8. The system of any one ofclaims 1-7 in which the generator and blockchain mining device arelocated adjacent to the oil production, storage, or processing facility.9. The system of any one of claims 1-8 in which the oil production,storage, or processing facility comprises a remote oil well, whichcomprises a plurality of remote oil wells, and one or both of thefollowing conditions are satisfied: the plurality of remote oil wellsare located on a multi-well pad; or the plurality of remote oil wellsinclude a satellite well.
 10. The system of any one of claims 1-9 inwhich: the blockchain mining device has a network interface and a miningprocessor; the network interface is connected to receive and transmitdata through the internet to a network that stores or has access to ablockchain database; and the mining processor is connected to thenetwork interface and adapted to mine transactions associated with theblockchain database and to communicate with the blockchain database. 11.The system of claim 10 in which: the network is a peer to peer network;the blockchain database is a distributed database stored on plural nodesin the peer to peer network; and the blockchain database storestransactional information for a digital currency.
 12. The system of anyone of claims 10-11 in which a controller is connected to modulate apower load level exerted by the blockchain mining device on thegenerator, by increasing or decreasing the mining activity of the miningprocessor.
 13. The system of claim 12 in which: the mining processorcomprises a plurality of mining processors; and the controller isconnected to modulate the maximum power load level by increasing ordecreasing a maximum number of mining processors that are engaged inmining transactions.
 14. The system of claim 13 in which: the oilproduction, storage, or processing facility comprises a remote oil well;the source of combustible gas comprises the remote oil well, which isconnected to produce a continuous flow of combustible gas to operate thegenerator.
 15. The system of claim 14 in which the controller isconnected to modulate the power load level in response to variations ina production rate of combustible gas from the remote oil well.
 16. Thesystem of any one of claims 14-15 in which: a production rate ofcombustible gas from the remote oil well varies between a daily minimumproduction rate and a daily maximum production rate; and while theproduction rate is above the daily minimum production rate, thecontroller is set to limit the power load level to at or below a powerlevel producible by the generator when the production rate is at thedaily minimum production rate.
 17. The system of claim 16 in which thecontroller is set to divert to a load bank excess electricity producedby the generator.
 18. The system of any one of claims 14-15 in which: aproduction rate of combustible gas from the remote oil well variesbetween a daily minimum production rate and a daily maximum productionrate; the controller is set to limit the power load level to above apower level producible by the generator when the production rate is atthe daily minimum production rate; and a backup source, of fuel orelectricity, is connected make up a shortfall in fuel or electricity,respectively, required to supply the blockchain mining device with thepower load level.
 19. The system of any one of claims 1-18 in which acontroller is connected to operate a cooling system to maintain theblockchain mining device within a predetermined operating range oftemperature.
 20. The system of any one of claims 1-19 in which theblockchain mining device is mounted on a skid or trailer.
 21. The systemof claim 20 in which the skid or trailer comprises a generator driven byan engine, which is connected to the source of combustible gas.
 22. Thesystem of any claim 21 in which the engine comprises a turbine.
 23. Thesystem of any one of claims 1-22 in which the blockchain mining devicecomprises an intermodal transport container.
 24. A method comprisingusing a source of combustible gas produced at a hydrocarbon productionwell, storage, or processing facility, to produce electricity to operatea blockchain mining device located at the hydrocarbon production well,storage, or processing facility, respectively.
 25. The method of claim24 further comprising, prior to using the source of combustible gas:disconnecting the source of combustible gas from a combustible gasdisposal device at the hydrocarbon production well, storage, orprocessing facility; and connecting the source of combustible gas tooperate the blockchain mining device.
 26. The method of any one ofclaims 24-25 further comprising: connecting the source of combustiblegas to operate the blockchain mining device; and diverting gas from acombustible gas disposal or storage device to operate the blockchainmining device.
 27. The method of any one of claim 25-26 in which thecombustible gas disposal or storage device comprises one or more of aflare, a vent to the atmosphere, an incinerator, or a burner.
 28. Themethod of any one of claims 24-27 in which the hydrocarbon productionwell, storage, or processing facility comprises an oil or gas well thatis isolated from a sales gas line and an external electrical power grid.29. The method of any one of claims 24-28 in which the source ofcombustible gas is a remote oil or gas well, and further comprisingproducing a continuous flow of combustible gas to power a generatorconnected to operate the blockchain mining device.
 30. The method ofclaim 29 in which producing further comprises supplying combustible gasto a combustion engine that is connected to drive the generator.
 31. Themethod of claim 30 in which the source of combustible gas is a remoteoil well, and further comprising using the combustion engine as a primemover to produce oil from the remote oil well.
 32. The method of claim31 in which, prior to using the source of combustible gas, thecombustion engine is under loaded as the prime mover, and furthercomprising connecting the generator to a power takeoff connected to thecombustion engine.
 33. The method of claim 30 in which the combustionengine is a first combustion engine, and further comprising: prior tosupplying combustible gas to the first combustion engine, connecting thefirst combustion engine to receive combustible gas from the remote oilwell; and using a second combustion engine as a prime mover to produceoil from the remote oil well.
 34. The method of any one of claims 29-33further comprising operating the blockchain mining device to: minetransactions with the blockchain mining device; and communicatewirelessly through the internet to communicate with a blockchaindatabase.
 35. The method of claim 34 further comprising modulating,using a controller, a power load level exerted by the blockchain miningdevice on the generator, by increasing or decreasing a mining activityof the blockchain mining device.
 36. The method of claim 35 in which:the blockchain mining device comprises a plurality of mining processors;and modulating comprises modulating the power load level by increasingor decreasing a maximum number of mining processors that are engaged inmining transactions.
 37. The method of claim 36 in which modulatingcomprises modulating the power load level in response to variations in aproduction rate of combustible gas from the remote oil or gas well. 38.The method of any one of claims 36-37 in which: a production rate ofcombustible gas from the remote oil or gas well varies between a dailyminimum production rate and a daily maximum production rate; andmodulating comprises limiting, while the production rate is above thedaily minimum production rate, the power load level to at or below apower level producible by the generator when the production rate is atthe daily minimum production rate.
 39. The method of claim 38 furthercomprising diverting to a load bank excess electricity produced by thegenerator.
 40. The method of any one of claims 36-37 in which: aproduction rate of combustible gas from the remote oil or gas wellvaries between a daily minimum production rate and a daily maximumproduction rate; modulating comprises limiting the power load level toabove a power level produced by the generator when the production rateis at the daily minimum production rate; and supplying from a backupfuel or electricity source a shortfall in fuel or electricity,respectively, required to supply the blockchain mining device with thepower load level.
 41. The method of claim 40 in which the power loadlevel is limited to above a power level produced by the generator whenthe production rate is at the daily maximum production rate.